(a) Unless specifically defined below, words or phrases used in this chapter shall be interpreted so as to give them the same meaning they have in common usage and so as to give this chapter its most reasonable interpretation and application.

(b) As used in this chapter:

(1) “area of special flood hazard” means the land within the territory subject to a 1% or greater chance of flooding in any given year. This land is identified as Zone A on Flood Hazard Boundary Map No. 600001, dated 13, Dec 77, and amendments thereto.

(2) “development” means any manmade change to improved or unimproved real estate including but not limited to building or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation, or drilling operations; and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of normally dry land areas from:

(A) the overflow of inland or tidal waters;

(B) the unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source; or

(C) mudslides (i.e., mudflows) which are proximately caused or precipitated by accumulations of water on or under the ground. It also means the collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels or suddenly caused by an unusually high water level in a natural body of water accompanied by a severe storm, or by an unanticipated force of nature, such as a flash-flood or an abnormal tidal surge, or by some similarly unusual and unforeseeable event which results in the inundation of normally dry land areas from the overflow of inland or tidal waters;

(4) "flood proofing” means any combination of structural and nonstructural additions, changes, or adjustments to structures, including utility and sanitary facilities, which would preclude the entry of water. Structural components shall have the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effect of buoyancy;

(5) “habitable floor” means any floor used for living which includes working, sleeping, eating, cooking, or recreation or combination thereof. A floor used only for storage purposes is not a “habitable floor”;

(8) “structure” means walled and roofed structure, including a gas or liquid storage tank that is principally above the ground, including but without limitation to buildings, factories, sheds, cabins, and other similar uses,

(9) “substantial improvement” means any repair; reconstruction, or improvement of a structure, the cost of which equals or exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure either:

(A) before the improvement is started; or

(B) if the structure has been damaged and is being restored, before the damage occurred, substantial improvement is considered to occur when the 1st alteration of any wall, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of the building commences, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the structure. The term does not, however, include any alteration to comply with existing territorial health, sanitary, building, or safety codes or regulations as well as structures listed in national or territorial registers of historic places.